Checking for Cancer: Salesianum rolls past St. Augustine Prep

Craig Zebrowski scored four goals and Jason Kelly contributed three goals and three assists as Salesianum School dominated from the start Saturday and thumped St. Augustine Prep, 15-2 at the Nike “Checking for Cancer” Lacrosse Invitational at Haverford School.

Jason Kelly

Salesianum (5-2), the two-time and defending Delaware state champion, jumped to a 5-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back. St. Augustine Prep fell to 2-4.

“We knew they were going to press out on us early,” said Kelly. “So once we got moving, we just got the dodges going and the open shots came … We jumped on them quick and then we just didn’t let up.”

After tight losses to powers Malvern Prep (PA) and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (VA), Salesianum has rebounded by winning three in row.

“We’re going to try and do what we always do,” said Kelly. “Win a state championship.”

Junior Troy Reeder added three goals for the Sals and Bailey Martin scored twice while Sam Fink added a goal and three assists. Graham Seuffert and Sean Giampietro each had a goal and an assist and Ryan Kern made six saves in goal.

“We made a statement pretty early,” said Reeder, who expertly assisted a Fink goal while his team was a man down. “We weren’t 100 percent sure what to expect today … we knew they were a great team and had lot of great tradition coming out of St. Augustine Prep.

“So, it felt really good to get this one today … this is one of the best teams that we’ve ever had here.”

St. Augustine struggled throughout to get set up offensive opportunities. Both of the Hermits’ goals came in the second quarter and were unassisted.

“We pretty much got punched in the face,” St. Augustine head coach J.C. Valore. “We’re trying to find every positive and I think our biggest positive is that we’re going to be able to get back on the field Monday … There’s a lot to look at. There’s a lot to be desired on offense and defense”

Hermits Penn State signee Mike Sutton, who played in just his second game since recovering from a broken metacarpal, scored once as he rounds into form.

“I think Mike’s out of sync,” said Valore on Sutton’s return. “He’s obviously a talented player. He’s a team player and I think right now after sitting for a month, like any senior competitor he wants to get on the field and do everything he can.

“And the first two games, it’s been a learning process getting back on the field, understanding what his role is in our offense since it has evolved since he was injured.”